Algeria’s government is building an experimental solar-thermal power station at Hassi R’mel, about 400 km south of Algiers, which if all goes well will open next year. In April, work started on a similar project at Aïn Béni Mathar, in Morroco.
There are four competing solar thermal power designs:
• Parabolic-trough mirrors,
• Parabolic-dish mirrors
• “power towers” which use an array of mirrors to focus to sun’s rays on to an elevated platform,
• Fresnel systems, which mimic a parabolic trough using (cheaper) flat mirrors.
All four of these designs are now either operating commercially or undergoing pre-commercial trials. Although the total capacity at the moment, according to Cambridge Energy Research Associates, is a mere 400 megawatts, this will grow tenfold over the next four years if all projects now scheduled come to fruition.
Source: The Economist, 19/06/08
